2009 Detroit Lions Offense:
It's the ultimate irony - the Lions finally have a franchise quarterback, but they can't play him.

Ever since Detroit secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft - which was probably around Halloween - I've always had Matt Stafford atop my 2009 NFL Mock Draft. I've said all along that taking Stafford would be the right move for the worst franchise in pro football; Stafford is a pro-style quarterback with an elite arm. His bust rate is pretty low.

So, why can't the Lions use Stafford? Well, it has to do with what they did with their next two selections. As soon as Halloween passed and Stafford was secure atop my mock, I had the Lions taking a left tackle with their second first-round selection. Other than quarterback, left tackle is the most important position on the field; you can't win if you don't protect your quarterback.

The incumbent player at that position is Jeff Backus, a sieve of all sieves who has given up 9.5, 15.5 and 9.25 sacks in the past three years. And if that wasn't bad enough, Backus had been whistled for 27 penalties in that span, a pretty embarrassing number.

Backus would be less of a liability at guard, so it made all the sense in the world for the Lions to draft Michael Oher at No. 20 or William Beatty at No. 33. Unfortunately, they opted for positions of lesser importance, while the Giants and Ravens, two of the more successful organizations in the NFL, came away with the two tackles.

With Backus penciled in on the blind side, the Lions have all but guaranteed themselves one of the worst pass protection schemes in the league. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus was horrific in 13 starts, surrendering six sacks and getting called for eight penalties. Cherilus will have to hold off the newly acquired Jon Jansen, who really struggled with the Redskins last year.

Detroit also signed Daniel Loper, who could push for playing time at left guard. Loper was a top backup with the Titans, but has never made a start in the NFL. Center Dominic Raiola and right guard Stephen Peterman aren't too bad, but they happen to be two mediocre talents who are the top players on an anemic offensive line.

If the Lions play Stafford and he has to suffer through porous pass protection, the front office runs the risk of having another Joey Harrington on their hands. Conversely, if Stafford gets to play behind a good offensive line, he has the talent to become an elite quarterback in the NFL. But Detroit doesn't have anything that comes even close to resembling a "good offensive line." Stafford will have to sit for now.

Stafford or not, Calvin Johnson is going to be an unstoppable force once again. Aptly known as Megatron, the 6-5, 235-pound, 4.3 40 wideout had 78 receptions, 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns in his second NFL season despite catching passes from the likes of Daunte Culpepper and Dan Orlovsky. One can only imagine what Megatron will be capable of once he has a top-notch signal-caller getting him the ball.

To complement Megatron, the Lions drafted tight end Brandon Pettigrew in the middle of the first round. I like Pettigrew a lot as both a blocker and a pass-catcher, but given the ineptness of the offensive line, the Oklahoma State product will have to do a lot more of the former as a rookie. Meanwhile, Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry and rookie Derrick Williams will be competing to have the luxury of drawing single coverage across from Megatron. I'm not impressed with any of those options. Dennis Northcutt will be in the slot.

One other weapon Culpepper will have to work with is second-year runner Kevin Smith. Stealing the following from my 2009 Fantasy Football Rankings, where I have Smith as my No. 10 running back: Smith rushed for 976 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, which was remarkable when you consider that he didn't receive more than 16 carries in any game until Week 10. From then on, he averaged 21 attempts and 83.9 yards per contest. Smith was also a factor in the passing game, catching 39 balls for 286 yards.

Looking at the top of the page, it's evident that the Lions made numerous acquisitions this offseason, but did they do enough positive things to vastly improve their pathetic stop unit?

In terms of stopping the run, I'd say no. There's still a huge void at defensive tackle. The Lions attempted to fill it with the 6-2, 345-pound Grady Jackson. However, Jackson, who turned 36 in January, really struggled with the Falcons last year. And it gets worse - there's a good chance Jackson will be suspended for the first four games of the season for taking StarCaps. Detroit also drafted the 330-pound Sammie Lee Hill in the fourth round, but there's no telling if he's going to pan out.

To their credit, the Lions improved their linebacking corps, so breathe easily, Detroit fans - the days of Paris Lenon and Jordon Dizon humiliating themselves are finally over. Ernie Sims is the only holdover, and rightfully so; Sims is one of the more talented weakside linebackers in the league, though he's coming off his worst year as a pro. Joining Sims are Julian Peterson and Larry Foote. Peterson, acquired in a deal for Cory Redding, is an upgrade even though he was simply mediocre as a Seahawk in 2008. Peterson will be 31 on July 28. Meanwhile, Foote, who will man the middle of the defense, has made 80 consecutive starts as a two-time champion with the Steelers.

In terms of the pass rush, the Lions should be able to get to the quarterback a bit more often in 2009. Starting right end Cliff Avril had five sacks as a rookie last year, four of which came in the final six weeks of the season. Because rookie ends tend to struggle, there's a very good chance that Avril's sack total vaults into double digits. Dewayne White, who led the team with six sacks despite playing in just 12 contests, will play at left end along with Jared DeVries. Unfortunately, Detroit won't be able to get much interior pressure with Redding gone. Instead, they'll have to rely on under tackles Chartric Darby and Andre Fluellen, who combined for two sacks in 2008.

With a seemingly improved pass rush, Detroit's secondary, the most revamped of all of the defensive units, will help improve the woeful 8.8 YPA and interception total (four) the team was guilty of last year.

The top three corners are completely new. Phillip Buchanon, formerly with the Buccaneers, was one of the top free agents at his position this offseason. Buchanon shined in Tampa Bay last season, so the Lions will be hoping that he continues to play well. Anthony Henry, currently penciled in as the No. 2 corner, would probably be better at safety. However, he's still capable at the position and will be a huge upgrade over Travis Fisher. Eric King, the projected nickel, was a decent backup under Jim Schwartz in Tennessee.

Detroit's second-round selection was used on Louis Delmas, whom I'm a big fan of. Delmas has been extremely impressive in minicamp thus far. Safeties tend to transition quickly into the NFL, so there's a good chance that Delmas has a big year. Meanwhile, the weak link in the secondary is Daniel Bullocks, who struggled in 2008 after a major knee injury debacled his 2007 campaign. If the Lions find someone other than Henry who can start across from Buchanon, Henry could be moved into Bullocks' spot.

2009 Detroit Lions Schedule and Intangibles:
The Lions have one of the worst home-field advantages in the NFL, owning a horrendous 47-57 record since 1996. But if you think that's bad, check out their 20-84 road mark. That's the league's worst visiting record the past 13 years.

Detroit finished 0-16, and dating back to the middle of the 2007 season, the team is 1-23. However, Rod Marinelli's group was competitive after four sloppy games to kick off the 2008 campaign. The Lions lost: at Minnesota by 2; at Houston by 7; vs. Washington by 8; at Chicago by 4; at Carolina by 9; to Tampa Bay after holding a 17-0 lead!!!; vs. Minnesota by 4; at Indianapolis by 10; and at Green Bay by 10. More on this later.

In the past four years, the Lions don't have a real special teams touchdown (the only one was a fluke score by Casey Fitzsimmons off an onsides kick). Even worse, they've given up EIGHT returns.

Saving the special teams, Jason Hanson had a phenomenal 2008 campaign, hitting 21-of-22 attempts, including an amazing 8-of-8 from 50-plus. Even more shocking, Hanson did this as a 38-year-old.

Here are some winnable games for the Lions: Vikings at home, possibly without the Williams Wall (Week 2); Redskins at home (Week 3); Rams at home (Week 8); Browns at home (Week 11); Packers at home (Week 12); Cardinals at home (Week 15); 49ers on the road (Week 16).

2009 Detroit Lions Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):

Quarterbacks

Offensive Line

Secondary

Running Backs

Defensive Line

Special Teams

Receivers

Linebackers

Coaching

2009 Detroit Lions Analysis: As mentioned earlier, the Lions were largely competitive in the final 12 games of the 2008 season, losing eight of those contests by 10 points or less. With the upgrades Detroit made to the secondary and linebacking corps, could they win about half of those battles this year? I would think so.

And that's precisely why I was so disappointed in the Lions' draft. If they had obtained a solid left tackle, which would have allowed Matt Stafford to play this season, they would have been one of my upstart squads. Instead, Detroit will have to sit Stafford and spend next year's top-10 selection on a blind-side protector instead of a dominant defensive player like Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy or Carlos Dunlap.

I have to say that I'm extremely disappointed in the Lions. If they did everything I thought they should have, I was going to give them a surprising 7-9 or 8-8 record in my season preview.

You need three things to win consistently in the NFL: You need to have a quarterback; you need to protect your quarterback; and you need to get to the other quarterback. Having receivers, a running game and a run-stopping defense are important as well, but they're secondary to the first three things.

So, that's exactly why I felt Detroit should have drafted Matt Stafford, the top left tackle available and then the best defensive player on the board, preferably a guy on the defensive line.

Instead of giving Matt Stafford a very promising left tackle like Michael Oher, William Beatty or Eben Britton, the Lions refused to address the second-most important position in football. That means that if the Lions play Stafford this year, they're essentially condemning him to becoming a bust. Jeff Backus has proven to be a stiff at left tackle, so if Stafford gets knocked around as a rookie, his confidence could be shattered.

And by the way, if you don't like Oher and Beatty as prospects, consider that they were respectively drafted by the Ravens and Giants, two organizations that are almost always in the playoffs.

The Lions added some intriguing prospects to their roster like Brandon Pettigrew and Louis Delmas, but I'm forced to give them a poor grade for ignoring the proven blueprint to building a consistent winner in the NFL.

Grade given on 4/27/09: C-

2009 NFL Draft Picks:

1. Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
I'm glad to see that Detroit's new regime made the right move. There are a lot of people out there who think that taking Stafford is the wrong choice. Well, franchise quarterbacks don't grow on trees. The Lions have to take him. He's coming out of a pro-style offense; he has an amazing arm; and he's very intelligent. Unless he receives poor offensive line protection - which shouldn't happen if the Lions go left tackle at No. 20 - there is no reason that Stafford should bust.

20. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
This has nothing to do with Brandon Pettigrew. I think he's a talented prospect who will be a nice weapon for Matt Stafford. However, you can't pass up on a left tackle when you need one. It's the second-most important position in the NFL. If Detroit doesn't get a potent left tackle at No. 33, Stafford is going to bust because he'll have the same terrible protection Joey Harrington had. (Pick Grade: F)

33. Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
Once again, this has nothing to do with Louis Delmas. The Lions had to address the left tackle position because Jeff Backus is an abomination in pass protection. Without a stout left tackle, Detroit can't afford to play Matt Stafford this year. If they do, he'll be under pressure on almost every play, barring a magical resurgence by the offensive front. I highly doubt that happens. (Pick Grade: F)

76. Deandre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin
This is horrendous value. It doesn't fill a need. Once again, no left tackle? I'm really disappointed in the Lions. (Pick Grade: F)

82. Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
Derrick Williams is really fast and will be a great downfield target for Matt Stafford. Unfortunately, Stafford won't have the pass protection to find Williams. Still, this is really great value. (Pick Grade: A)

235. Zack Follett, OLB, California
I like this pick for Detroit. Zack Follett, a mid-round prospect, was decent value in the middle of Round 7. One could argue that Follett was a better prospect than Deandre Levy, drafted at No. 76. (Pick Grade: A)

255. Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland
I would have never imagined that the Lions would take more tight ends than offensive linemen in the 2009 NFL Draft. Dan Gronkowski provides adequate value. (Pick Grade: B)

Season Summary:
Though the Lions failed to win a single game and became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16, I'd like to argue that the 2008 season was a success for Detroit. Why? Matt Millen is gone! No more foolish trades and crappy receivers taken atop the draft! Nope! Now, the Lions actually have someone who knows what he's doing. In fact, Detroit's new management believes that Greg Lloyd is still in the league and Atlanta's great free-agent signing a year ago was Michael Bennett. Yeah, things are definitely looking up in the Motor City.

Left Tackle: In the past three years, Jeff Backus has surrendered 9.5, 15.5 and 9.25 sacks. And people say the Lions shouldn't draft a tackle at No. 20... Detroit will find a new blind-side protector at that selection, allowing Backus to slide inside. Signed Daniel Loper and Kirk Barton; drafted Lydon Murtha

Quarterback: When Quarterback A turns 37 in September; Quarterback B steps out of the back of the end zone; Quarterback C spends more time spamming NFL personnel than studying game film; and Quarterback D can't beat out any of the first three, you know you need a new quarterback. Detroit has to find itself a new face for the franchise. Right now, that face is Matt Millen, and he's not even employed by the team anymore. Drafted Matt Stafford

Two Linebackers: Despite a down year, Ernie Sims is still Detroit's top defender. The other two linebackers? Not so much. The days of Jordon Dizon, Paris Lenon and Ryan Nece have to come to an end before Lions fans go insane. Traded for Julian Peterson; signed Larry Foote; drafted Deandre Levy and Zack Follett; signed Cody Spencer

Nose Tackle: With Leigh Bodden as good as gone, all the Lions have remaining from the Shaun Rogers deal is a third-round pick. Way to go, Millen! Detroit couldn't stop the run all year. That will change if the team acquires a top-notch nose tackle. Drafted Sammie Lee Hill; signed Grady Jackson and Shaun Smith; traded for Orien Harris

Cornerback: Leave it to Millen to trade a king's ransom for a player who doesn't fit his system. Bodden will be cut soon, meaning Detroit will have to find itself a new starting corner. Signed Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, Eric King and Will James

Guard: Even with Jeff Backus' inevitable move to guard, the Lions will need another player at that position. As you can tell, Detroit's offensive line is a mess. Re-signed Stephen Peterman and Damion Cook; signed Milford Brown

Wide Receiver: The Lions did a great job of unloading Roy Williams, and even got away with grand larceny in the trade. That said, Detroit needs someone across from Calvin Johnson. Drafted Derrick Williams; traded for Dennis Northcutt; signed Bryant Johnson and Ronald Curry

One of the top press corners in the NFL, Leigh Bodden struggled last year because Matt Millen foolishly decided that Bodden could play in a zone scheme. Chad Ocho Cinco recently called Bodden the top corner in the NFL, though you shouldn't read much into that because No. 85 is a renowned psychopath.

Jason Hanson, K. Age: 39. Re-signed with Lions (4 years)

Eat your vitamins, kids, and you'll be as strong at 40 as Jason Hanson is. Hanson hit 21-of-22 attempts in 2008. More amazingly, he was an astonishing 8-of-8 from beyond 50!

Shaun McDonald, WR. Age: 28. Signed with Steelers

Any team that hires Mike Martz should go after Shaun McDonald, who caught 79 passes for 943 yards in 2007. Then again, any team that hires Martz should just e-mail its fans and apologize for next season's losing record.

Divisional Rival History: Chicago Bears: Take out a bizarre 2007 season where the Lions somehow swept the Bears, and Chicago has won six straight in this "rivalry." Green Bay Packers: The Lions' ineptness has no limit. The Packers have won 15 of the last 17 meetings. Minnesota Vikings: Pure domination. The Vikings have somehow won 18 of the past 20 meetings.